All posts tagged: Tennis

Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam in five-set thriller

Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam in five-set thriller

Published by Sam Flores

In his fourth major final, Alexander Zverev can finally call himself a grand slam champion, holding his nerve to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Both men were their own worst enemies at times, as the unforced error count mounted. But it was the favourite who was finally able to celebrate, falling backwards onto the clay in tears that were prompted by a mixture of both joy and relief. In 2024, when Zverev played his last Roland Garros final, his fortnight was overshadowed by a domestic violence trial that was discontinued the morning of the men’s semi-finals by a criminal court in Berlin. This time around, he has been the standout favourite since Jannik Sinner was undone by a combination of illness and heat in the second round. Only a year ago, Zverev proclaimed that “didn’t want to be the best player in history without a grand slam” and on Sunday, he ensured he would not be. The German had an ideal opportunity at the US Open in 2020 to win a …

Mirra Andreeva marches to French Open title and it should be the first of many

Mirra Andreeva marches to French Open title and it should be the first of many

Published by Sam Flores

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Maja Chwalinska v Mirra Andreeva in the women’s French Open final. What a tantalising match-up this promises to be. Poland’s Chwalinksa, the world number 114 has stunned Roland Garros these past two weeks after coming through qualifying and is one win away from a fairytale triumph. If she succeeds, she will write her name into the history books by becoming only the second qualifier in the Open Era to win a major after Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory. It would also provide a fitting ending to a French Open that has been defined by chaos and shock results. Less than a week ago, Chwalinska was jokingly asking for help paying for a hotel room, but as she sank onto the red brick dust of Philippe-Chatrier after clinching a place in the final, she tripled her career earnings during her time in the French capital. “Let’s not pretend someone expected it,” she said after her 7-6, 6-4 semi-final win over Diana Shnaider. “I was outside the …

Wilson’s New Tennis Gear Wants More Than a Spot on the Court

Wilson’s New Tennis Gear Wants More Than a Spot on the Court

Published by Jenni Sidey

A few weeks ago, I found myself standing on red clay courts, crushing forehands as I tested out Wilson’s newest lineup of elevated activewear. Wilson Sports Professionals is the storied sporting brand’s intentional shift toward capital ‘F’ Fashion, so Paris—mere days before the French Open began—made for the perfect backdrop to put it to the test. I landed at Charles de Gaulle on Wednesday afternoon, and hours later, I was decked out in full Wilson, gracefully sliding as I chased down a sneak drop shot. As a well-documented, self-professed fashion snob, I have to say: The clothes are beautiful. Ultra-light nylon shorts are cut at the upper-thigh, and the sharp lines of the outerwear make a paneled full-zip jacket feel like a tailored blouson and a high-tech windbreaker had an extremely handsome child. Wilson Classic Warm-Up Jacket Equal parts windbreaker and tailored blouson, this jacket looked just as good with shorts for our day session on court as it did with trousers for evening sidewalk spritzes. Wilson Rush Pro 5 Clay Men’s Tennis Shoe The …

Zverev cruises past Mensik to reach second French Open final | Tennis News

Zverev cruises past Mensik to reach second French Open final | Tennis News

Published by Sam Flores

Alexander Zverev will face either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi in final, after beating Jakub Mensik at French Open. Published On 5 Jun 20265 Jun 2026 Alexander Zverev moved to the verge of a long-awaited first Grand Slam title as the second seed saw off Jakub Mensik in four sets to reach his second French Open final. The German will face either 10th seed Flavio Cobolli or his fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Sunday after securing a 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Mensik on Friday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Zverev has endured several near misses at major tournaments, with three previous final defeats, including against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros two years ago. “This is a Grand Slam, it’s best of five, things are going to happen, opponents are going to play better. I managed it,” said Zverev. “I hope to play another great match on Sunday.” But he will be strong favourite against either Cobolli or world number 104 Arnaldi to finally get over the line and lift a …

Russia’s Andreeva beats Ukraine’s Kostyuk in no-handshake French Open semi | Tennis News

Russia’s Andreeva beats Ukraine’s Kostyuk in no-handshake French Open semi | Tennis News

Published by Sam Flores

No handshake and no photo as Mirra Andreeva of Russia beats Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine to reach French Open tennis final. By Kevin Hand, News Agencies and The Associated Press Published On 4 Jun 20264 Jun 2026 Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3 in a tense encounter at the French Open. Andreeva converted her first match point when she served for the tennis match on Thursday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list There was no post-match handshake between the pair, however, and Kostyuk walked off quickly, turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier, where some fans were draped in Ukrainian flags. The atmosphere beforehand was somewhat tense as the players had separate photos taken as they each stood next to two children on their respective sides of the net. Usually, the players pose for the same photo, standing right next to each other by the net. Kostyuk and countrywoman Oleksandra Oliynykova have spoken out during …

How having zero points in tennis — or ‘love’ — came to sound so sweet : NPR

How having zero points in tennis — or ‘love’ — came to sound so sweet : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

The scoreboard shows the results of the women’s singles final match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption toggle caption Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Fifteen points in tennis? Nice. Thirty, 40 — even better. Advantage — that sounds good. “Love” — that also must be great, right? Well, not quite. As the French Open rolls on and Serena Williams has announced her return to the sport, maybe you’ve been paying a little more attention to tennis. The sport’s scoring system is notably distinct, and can sometimes be hard to grasp for newcomers. But even tennis aficionados might not know why, or how, “love” became the unmistakable callout for zero points. For this installment of NPR’s Word of the Week, we’re exploring how a word that signifies trailing behind got such a sweet name. “Love” comes from the heart — or an egg? It’s hard to pinpoint when the first tennis ball went over the net. Tennis is a …

Pope Leo plays tennis religiously as part of an Augustinian devotion to sports and spirituality

Pope Leo plays tennis religiously as part of an Augustinian devotion to sports and spirituality

Published by Sam Flores

PARIS (AP) — When Pope Leo XIV was elected last year and it emerged that he was a tennis player, his love of the sport was quickly celebrated during an audience with top-ranked Jannik Sinner. In the ensuing months, Leo has tried to set aside time in his busy schedule to play the sport every week as part of his Augustinian devotion to physical activity and spirituality. The Rule of St. Augustine, an ancient guide for religious life, highlights the value of good habits. “He’s trying to keep some regularity to his routine that comes from the Rule,” said the Rev. Rob Hagan, Prior of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and team chaplain for the men’s basketball and football teams at Villanova University — the pope’s alma mater in Pennsylvania. Leo’s devotion to St. Augustine was evident when he made a pilgrimage during his Africa trip in April to the archaeological ruins in Algeria where the influential 5th century theologian and philosopher lived and died and wrote some of the most important …

Meet Rafael Nadal’s 2 Children

Meet Rafael Nadal’s 2 Children

Published by Daniella Wilson

Rafael Nadal’s glittering tennis career includes two Olympic medal’s, 22 Grand Slam titles and 209 weeks at No. 1 in the world men’s singles ranking. But away from the court, he’s a proud family man, welcoming two children with wife Mery since the pair tied the knot in 2019. Read on to find out what Rafael’s said about becoming a father, the two boys he’s raising and life with his wife who grew up near to his family home. © Getty Images Rafael Nadal is one of the sport’s most famous players Who is Rafael Nadal? Rafael ‘Rafa’ Nadal Parera was born on 3 June 1986. He ranked at No. 1 in the world in men’s singles for an incredible 209 weeks, closing the year as top dog five times. The tennis legend won 22 grand slams during his career and is now happily enjoying retirement with his wife and with two children. © Fundacion Rafa Nadal via Getty Images Rafa and Mery said ‘I do’ in 2019 Marriage to Mery Rafael Nadal tied the …

Meet tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s 2 children Rafael Jr. and Miquel he shares with wife Mery

Meet tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s 2 children Rafael Jr. and Miquel he shares with wife Mery

Published by Sam Flores

Rafael Nadal‘s glittering tennis career includes two Olympic medal’s, 22 Grand Slam titles and 209 weeks at No. 1 in the world men’s singles ranking. But away from the court, he’s a proud family man, welcoming two children with wife Mery since the pair tied the knot in 2019. Read on to find out what Rafael’s said about becoming a father, the two boys he’s raising and life with his wife who grew up near to his family home. Rafael Nadal bites his gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rafael Nadal is one of the sport’s most famous players Who is Rafael Nadal? Rafael ‘Rafa’ Nadal Parera was born on 3 June 1986. He ranked at No. 1 in the world in men’s singles for an incredible 209 weeks, closing the year as top dog five times. The tennis legend won 22 grand slams during his career and is now happily enjoying retirement with his wife and with two children. Rafa Nadal and Xisca Perello lean against a sandstone wall looking out on …